KTM 640 LC4 Adventure reviews

I love this motorcycle. I've been riding for over 50 years and had about a dozen bikes, mostly smaller dual sports. I'm retired and don't commute, or ride to get from A to B. I ride for fun, for the thrill of coming out of a corner on a lightly traveled country road at 30 and accelerating to 90 in about 4 seconds and a couple hundred yards. It has (almost) sport bike power and handling, but an upright, comfortable seating position. KTM claims 148 HP; the Cycle World Road Test Dyno showed 129; they reported a 10.68 quarter at 129. I don't care to go anywhere near that fast, but they showed 0-30 in 1.2; 0-60 in 3.2, and; 0-90 in 5.0. That's the range in which I use and appreciate the motor. It's also relatively light for a big bike - about 500 pounds with a full tank - although I've added an OEM skid plate and crash bars, and have OEM panniers which I don't use unless on a long trip. KTM marketed the 1190 Adventure (they now have a 1090 & a 1290) as a dual sport. I'll go down a dirt/gravel road, but even if I had the 'R' model, which has stiffer suspension, dual purpose tires, and a few other offroad features, wouldn't take 500 pounds very far from pavement. What don't I like? The headlight was anemic. I replaced it with a much brighter LED, and added auxiliary lights. The stock seat rendered it almost unridable for any distance; thus an aftermarket solo seat was required. Reliability? There's often something minor that's not quite right. For example, the ambient temperature indicator currently isn't working on my bike. 2014 was the first year for the bike and I think KTM went overboard with "state-of-the-art" electronics, ride modes, combinations of ABS, traction control, etc., without fully debugging everything. We KTM owners will gripe about these little things and inevitably our friends, or forum participants, ask, "well why don't you get a Japanese bike?" The answers vary, but all, in one way or another boil down to: "Are you crazy? And not ride a KTM?!?! Cause when this bike is right, and that's most of the time, it's the most delightful, exciting, fun, euphorogasm machine I've ever ridden, let alone owned. (And I just made the last payment.) Show less

This is one heck of a great motorcycle in almost every way, but for me there is one negative: seat height. I'm just shy of 6 feet, 32" inseam and must be on tippy-toes to have both feet on the ground when stopped. I appreciate lengthy shock travel and high ground clearance, the bike is perfect when moving, but I find stop-and-go wearisome. And while the bike is not really heavy, it does have a high center of gravity. I think I've explored every alternative; KTM will not offer any suggestions, apparently and probably with their own good reasons for not modifying the well engineered factory specs. One aftermarket seat is 3/4" lower, can't find any suspension alternatives. I've been told the 1290 model 17" rear and 19" front spoked wheels, brakes etc. are interchangeable, but that yields only about an inch, would definitely affect the speedometer and odometer and probably affect the ABS system as well. So what is the solution? The only other one that comes to mind is platform shoes. Show less

This Bike is hands down the most comfortable, best handling, most powerful, most versatile and most fun bike I have ever ridden. I have a Yamaha FZ1, Harley Wide Glide and now this KTM 1290 Super Adventure. I have owned in the recent past a BMW R1200RT, Harley VROD, Yamaha FJR1300, Honda VTX1800, and a crap load of other bikes going back into the 70's. I've ridden dozens more as well Show less

Just turned 12k miles with this bike. Recently returned from a great south to north zig/zag run up the entire state of Wisconsin. Ran mostly county roads but did bomb down gravel, sand and a short stint of tight dirt/mud single track. Still running the stock tires and it handled everything very well for being loaded down with camping gear. Sand and mud will give any larger bike a problem but a steering stabilizer would have helped. I love the performace of this machine. Great off the line go (dropped a tooth on countersproket) and it handles the twisties without a hiccup. Powerful brakes slow the machine effortlessly too. My complaint? Seat is as hard as a clay brick. Recently purchased AirHawk seat and this is no longer a problem. I rode 8+ hours a day with no soarness/numbness. The clutch also chatters due to its dry design and it being a V twin. I do appreciate the hydraulic operation, no adjustments other than the ocassional fluid change and bleed. Being a tall rider the wind screen is way to short causing serious buffeting especially with a visored helmet. Overall a GREAT bike for me allowing me to tear up the twisties and tackle the dirt. Show less

I previously owned a Suzuki 1000 VStrom but was looking 4 something allowing me more off road as Costa Rica is a nice place to enjoy both off and on road bikes. I bought my 990 adv a couple years ago. The difference was amazing in terms of handling and true off road capacity. The bike is very good on every dirt road, sand and rivers. Recently we went north to Guanacaste region and had a chance to see both my KTM and a 1200GS from bBMW. Sorry BMW bikers but if you are really adventurous, the KTM is no match on dirt, beach and sandy roads. I improved the comfort by adding a gel seat which made a lot of difference for my bottom. I just recommend to lift the handle bars if you are serious on off road. Otherwise, nothing to say, my Adventure is a winner. Show less

Great Bike! KTM successfully blends a sport bike with a dirt bike creating the ultimate dual-sport. Excellent acceleration and handling on or off road. The only negatives are the price and comfort. It is 3 times the cost of my KLR-650 and not quite as comfortable. It is not as comfy on long hauls as I thought it would be and it feels like I am being pushed forward slightly vs. more upright, while cruising. Other than that, it is a great bike. It turns a lot of heads with the sporty dual exhausts popping out in the back! It is also a great bike for big people like me! Show less

I recently added a KTM 640 Adventure to my stable that included two KLR650's. The KTM certainly conveys the impression that it is a machine born in the dirt. It has the pedigree and the quality engineering to inspire confidence once the pavement ends. I am tall enough that my KLR's allow me to stop with both feet on the ground. The KTM adds just enough height (especially when dismounting) that it demands care. While I haven't lost control of it yet, I cringe that the time is coming when I tumble off while trying to dismount in the Kroger parking lot. While that would surely be entertaining, it wouldn't be fun. If the bike proves to be as tough and durable as my trusty KLR's I will be well-pleased. I don't think I can honestly justify the cost (over $8K) compared to ($5k) for a new KLR, but the fun factor makes it tempting to try. I am presently on vacation and my son and I will be giving the bikes a workout in the North Georgia mountains. We are eager to put it through its paces on some of our fine Forest Service Roads. Strangely, I find myself attracted to all things orange these days .... hmmmm. Show less

First of all, my previous bikes were all sportbikes (ie a Ducati 749S and an MV Agusta F4. I was a bit hesistant in getting a KTM 640 Adventure because of two things, Height and Speed. Fine.... this doesn't go 200kmh, but then again, after a mild trail ride with a 950 Adventure Buddy, my skeptisism with regards to the 640 Adventure has totally changed. After a mixture of tarmac twisties (which the bike isnt bad on tarmac.... you just can't lean it as far as road bikes) and semi rough trail.... this is actually FUN. In the city, use your imagination. Traffic? You'll love it- specially when you could get away with the "occassional" pedestrian walkway travel. Not that we are condoning it.... but hey. Show less

So far, so good. Seems to be softening up a bit. Real fun to ride, more than a GS. Only up to 6k rpm so far, and that is plenty. Brakes are fine, a bit less lock-up in the front (than say a Multi-Strada) but it was built that way. Even new seat may need an upgrade, but okay for 2 + hours. Took tight corners last night at high speeds, bike tracks well but a bit longer in the tooth than a Multi or GS. Like the mags say, a Ducati will probably lead you thru the tight turns, but... you will over power them coming out. Overall meeting my very high expectations. I turned down a GS, and Multi to get it. Very happy so far. Show less

I've had mine for about 6 months, and having great fun. It handles highway tar through to quite technical dirt with ease. Build quality is superb. It rides easy in standing and sitting position. Serious fun! Show less